Page 5: At the outset it helps to remember the purpose of these Biblical accounts. They are not biographies; they are Gospels.
Note: The "good news" is not about paradise earth!
Page 5: The word "gospel" means "good news." Both men had the same message - that Jesus is the promised Messiah, or Christ; that he died for mankind's sins; and that he was resurrected to heaven.
Page 5: Remember, Jesus' followers recognized that he had existed as a spirit creature before he ever came to the earth. (John 8:23, 58)
Correction: They recognized that Jesus was God after Pentecost.
John 8:58 Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM."
Matthew 28:17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.
1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
Page 6: Matthew shows that this miracle fulfilled a prophecy uttered centuries before by Isaiah. (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:22, 23)
Note: Immanuel is defined as "God with us."
Matthew 1:22-23 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us."
Page 6: Centuries earlier, the prophet Micah had foretold that the Messiah would be from this seemingly insignificant town near Jerusalem. - Micah 5:2.
Note: Jesus Christ had no beginning.
Micah 5:2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting."
Page 6: But God favored these humble, faithful men with a great honor - a delegation of angels informed them that the Messiah, whom God's people had been awaiting for thousands of years, had just been born in Bethlehem.
Note: The angels of God celebrated the Birth-day of Jesus Christ.
Luke 2:13-14 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"
Page 7: Think of it. Jehovah God, the Sovereign of the universe, selected, not a wealthy family, but a poor one as the household in which his beloved, only begotten Son would be raised.
Note: The two Hebrew words YHWH 'elohim which is translated "Jehovah God" denotes that Jehovah is a plurality of persons. 'Elohim is the plural title of God for Yahweh and since YHWH 'elohim are Hebrew words, they are not found in the Greek New Testament.
Note: Jesus Christ is the Sovereign of the universe.
Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth."
Page 8: He uses the Greek word ma'goi, which means "astrologers." This alone should give the reader a clue that something evil is at work here, for astrology is an art that God's Word condemns and that faithful Jews scrupulously avoided.- Deuteronomy 18:10-12; Isaiah 47:13, 14.
Correction: The Greek word ma'goi is defined as a Oriental scientist, or magician, or sorcerer, or wise man. In the modern vernacular, they were ancient astronomers.
Page 8: But the star does not lead them to Bethlehem. It draws them to Jerusalem and to Herod the Great. No man in the world holds such means and motive to harm young Jesus.
Note: These ancient astronomers were led to Jerusalem that prophecy may be fulfilled.
Matthew 2:17-18 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying: "A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted, because they are no more."
Page 9: The astrologers, Herod's unwitting dupes, likely would have reported back to the vengeful monarch, leading to the child's destruction. But God intervenes through a dream and sends them back home by another route.
Correction: These ancient astronomers were sent by God since they obeyed God.
Matthew 2:11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Note: Will you worship Jesus Christ? (Compare Philippians 2:9-11)
Note: The gifts they brought to Jesus Christ reflects His purpose. Gold denotes His kingship (Revelation 19:16). Frankincense denotes His mediatorship (Hebrews 9:11-15) Myrrh denotes His death for the sins of the world (Romans 5:8).
Page 9: The "star," then, must have been a device of God's enemy Satan, who would go to any lengths to harm the Messiah. How ironic that the "star" and astrologers are portrayed in Nativity scenes as emissaries of God! - Matthew 2:9-12.
Correction: Stars are in the control of God.
Job 9:7 He commands the sun, and it does not rise; He seals off the stars;
Note: Stars are heritage for man from God.
Deuteronomy 4:19 "And take heed, lest you lift your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun, the moon, and the stars, all the host of heaven, you feel driven to worship them and serve them, which the LORD your God has given to all the peoples under the whole heaven as a heritage."
Page 9: Jehovah countered Satan again, warning Joseph through an angel to flee to Egypt for safety. Matthew reports that some time later Joseph again moved his little family and finally settled them in Nazareth, where Jesus grew up with his younger brothers and sisters.
Correction: Joseph was told to flee to Egypt for prophecy to be fulfilled.
Matthew 2:14-15 When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, "Out of Egypt I called My Son."
Page 9: Perhaps most surprising of all, though, is that so much of the traditional Christmas celebrations misses the vital points of the Gospel narratives. Little thought is given, for instance, to Jesus' Father - not Joseph, but Jehovah God.
Correction: The Gospel narratives are about the Son.
Matthew 1:1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:
Mark 1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Acts 1:1-3 The former account (Luke) I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Page 10: JEHOVAH is the Savior of humans who love him. (Isaiah 43:11) Israel's renowned King David knew this from personal experience, and he wholeheartedly sang: "Salvation belongs to Jehovah." (Psalm 3:8)
Note: Jesus Christ is the Savior of humans who love him.
Luke 2:11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
1 Corinthians 16:22 If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed.
Page 10: David's son Solomon also knew that Jehovah is the Source of salvation, for he said: "The horse is something prepared for the day of battle, but salvation belongs to Jehovah."
Note: Jesus Christ is the Source of salvation.
John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
Page 10: All those pursuing an upright course as God's dedicated servants can draw comfort from the apostle Peter's words: "Jehovah knows how to deliver people of godly devotion out of trial, but to reserve unrighteous people for the day of judgment to be cut off."
Note: Jesus Christ delivers true Christians from the wrath of God.
1 Thessalonians 1:10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
Page 11: Like Noah, then, will you prove faithful as a preacher of righteousness serving along with God's people as you wait the salvation of Jehovah?
Note: Put on the righteousness of God which is faith in Jesus Christ.
Romans 3:21-22 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.
Page 11: As long as this old system lasts, Jehovah's servants will experience persecution and enemy oppression. But they can be confident that Jehovah will deliver them, for he has saved his oppressed people in the past.
Note: Jesus Christ delivers true Christians from the wrath of God.
Revelation 3:10 "Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth."
Page 12: So even if we are oppressed or persecuted as Jehovah's people, let us be courageous, for his Messianic King will free us from oppression. Yes, "the souls of the poor ones he will save. From oppression and from violence he will redeem their soul." (Psalm 72:13, 14)
Note: The wrath of God will come upon those who have not put their trust in Jesus Christ.
Psalm 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.
Page 13: To experience the salvation of Jehovah, we must maintain integrity to him at all costs.
Correction: Through faith in Jesus Christ salvation will be experienced.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Page 13: They exercised faith in God, and he proved to be with them. Despite tests of your faith, are you maintaining integrity to Jehovah?
Note: Are you exercising faith in Jesus Christ?
Galatians 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
Page 13: Later, the failure of the people to keep the Law and to heed the warnings of God's prophets led to the Babylonian conquest of Judah and the destruction of its capital, Jerusalem, and the temple in 607 B.C.E.
Correction: Jerusalem and temple were destroyed in 586 B.C.E. (Check ANY Encyclopedia)
Page 13: Imagine his joy when the decree of Persian King Cyrus went into effect in 537 B.C.E., allowing the Jews to return to Judah to rebuild the temple! (Ezra 1:1-4)
Note: The rebuilt temple was dedicated in 516 B.C.E. thus fulfilling the seventy-year captivity.
Page 13: Jehovah always saves his people when they are faithful to his name.
Note: Be faithful to the name of Jesus if you want to be saved.
Acts 4:12 "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
Page 14: Are you as quick to comply with Scriptural guidance provided through "the faithful steward" appointed over all of Jesus' "belongings"? - Luke 12:42-44.
Correction: The Watchtower is not looking for the return of Jesus Christ.
Luke 12:40 "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." (12:43) "Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes."
Page 15: Jesus thus gains a Bride, formed of his 144,000 anointed followers raised to heavenly life. (Ephesians 5:25-27; Revelation 14:3, 4; 21:9)
Correction: The great multitude is before the throne of God which is set in heaven and they are praising the Father and the Son.
Revelation 7:9-10 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"
Page 15: He also becomes an "Eternal Father" to those accepting his sacrifice and receiving everlasting earthly life. (Isaiah 9:6, 7; 1 John 2:1, 2)
Note: The "Eternal Father" of Isaiah 9:6 denotes Jesus Christ as God.
1 John 2:1-2 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
Note: Jesus Christ needs to be your Advocate, not the Watchtower.
Page 15: JEHOVAH has set a day of judgment for mankind. (Acts 17:31) If it is to be a day of salvation for us, we need an approved standing with him and his appointed Judge, Jesus Christ.
Note: Do you honor Jesus Christ as Jehovah?
John 5:22-23 "For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him."
Page 16: The haughty ones were not interested in the congregation's unity and spiritual welfare. They wanted to boast in outward appearances instead of helping fellow believers to develop good hearts before God. Hence, Paul reproved the congregation and later stated: "He that boasts, let him boast in Jehovah." - 2 Corinthians 10:17.
Note: Do you give glory to Jesus Christ?
Rom 15:17 Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God.
Page 16: Gratitude to Jesus for giving his life in our behalf should move us to zealous activity in proclaiming the good news of salvation provided by Jehovah through his beloved Son. (John 3:16; compare Psalm 96:2) Is "the love the Christ has" compelling you to have a zealous share in the Kingdom-preaching and disciple-making work? - Matthew 28:19, 20.
Note: The name of the Father, and of Son, and of the Holy Spirit is Jehovah.
Matthew 28:19-20 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
Page 17: Even if some hoping in the Messiah once looked at Christ on the basis of his flesh, they were no longer to do so. He gave his body as a ransom and was resurrected as a life-giving spirit.
Correction: Jesus Christ was resurrected with a body.
Luke 24:37-40 But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. And He said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have." When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet."
Page 17: Others raised to heavenly life would give up their fleshly bodies without ever having seen Jesus Christ in the flesh. - 1 Corinthians 15:45, 50; 2 Corinthians 5:1-5.
Correction: Body is defined as the "material" part of a human being. (Webster's)
Page 17: This relationship came into existence for the person when Jehovah drew him to his Son and begot that person with holy spirit. As a spirit-begotten son of God, he was "a new creation" with the prospect of sharing with Christ in the heavenly Kingdom.
Correction: A person who is "a new creation," will be an ambassador for Christ on the earth.
2 Corinthians 5:17-20 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.
Page 17: Jehovah has committed the ministry of reconciliation to the anointed so Paul could say: "We re therefore ambassadors substituting for Christ, as though God were making entreaty through us. As substitutes for Christ we beg: 'Become reconciled to God.'" 2 Corinthians 5:20.
Correction: True Christians are anointed by the Holy Spirit, from the Father, through the Son.
Romans 2:11 For there is no partiality with God.
Page 18: All humans who exercise faith in the ransom can become reconciled to God.
Note: The Watchtower defines faith as works.
Page 19: By their upright conduct and zealous ministry in this "acceptable time," they seek divine favor and are informing earth's inhabitants that this is "the day of salvation."
Page 19: Since Pentecost 33 C.E., spiritual Israelites have endeavored to prove worthy of God's undeserved kindness so that the "acceptable time" would be "a day of salvation" for them.
Correction: The first "governing body" taught differently.
Acts 15:11 "But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they."
Page 18: This righteousness, or righteous standing before God, comes first to Christ's 144,000 joint heirs.
Page 18: Jehovah's anointed ambassadors and his envoys, the "other sheep," do not accept their heavenly Father's undeserved kindness and miss its purpose. (John 10:16)
Correction: There is no partiality with God.
Acts 10:34-35 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. "
Correction: The "other sheep" refers to Gentiles.
Acts 17:17 Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there.
Galatians 3:8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, "In you all the nations shall be blessed."
Page 19: In further fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy, Jehovah gave his "servant" Jesus as "a light of the nations, that (God's) salvation may come to be to the extremity of the earth."
Note: The "Servant" is also worshipped.
Isaiah 49:7 Thus says the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, their Holy One, to Him whom man despises, to Him whom the nation abhors, to the Servant of rulers: "Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel; and He has chosen You."
Page 19: Like Paul and his companions, we can recommend ourselves as God's ministers. How? "By purity," or chasteness, and by acting in harmony with accurate Bible knowledge.
Correction: It is by the grace of God that people become true ministers of God.
Ephesians 3:7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.
1 Peter 4:10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Page 20: When in deadly peril under enemy assault, we will trust in Jehovah. And we will accept discipline with gratitude. - 2 Corinthians 6:8, 9.
Note: Are you looking for the return of Jesus Christ?
Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
Page 20: When Paul wrote his second letter to the Corinthians in about 55 C.E., only some 15 years remained for the Jewish system of things.
Correction: God has not forgotten the nation of Israel.
Romans 11:25-27 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins."
Page 20: Well, we have been in a corresponding conclusion of a system of things since 1914. The global work of Kingdom preaching now under way marks this as the day of salvation.
Correction: True Christians preach Jesus Christ.
Acts 17:2-3 Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ."
1 Corinthians 1:22-24 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Note: 1914 is based on the bogus date of 607 B.C.E. for the destruction of Jerusalem.